Events Calendar

Please email Maggie Berggren at [email protected] for more information.

Please email Maggie Berggren at [email protected] for more information.

Location: Synod Office, Redwood Falls, MN

All are welcome to attend! Tuesday, January 21, 2025 1:00pm at First Lutheran in St. Peter MN Representatives from a variety of denominations will be participating including leaders from the MN Council of Churches, the New Ulm Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA. There will be a […]

SW MN Synod Conference Assemblies: Conference, Date, Time & Location Great River – February 2 – Zoom Minnesota Valley – February 16 – 12:30pm at Scandian Grove, St. Peter Scenic Valley – February 16 – 1:30pm registration, 2pm meeting at St. Matthews, Wabasso Shetek – February 16 – 2pm at First, Worthington Crow River – […]

SW MN Synod Conference Assemblies: Conference, Date, Time & Location Great River - February 2 - Zoom Minnesota Valley - February 16 - 12:30pm at Scandian Grove, St. Peter Scenic Valley - February 16 - 1:30pm registration, 2pm meeting at St. Matthews, Wabasso Shetek - February 16 - 2pm at First, Worthington Crow River - […]

For the past five years, rostered leaders have been encouraging and consoling one another with the words of Mordecai: that who knows whether we have been called into ministry “for such a time as this.” Mordecai’s ancient wisdom helped sustain us through a global pandemic and through challenging days in our own times. But today? […]

For the past five years, rostered leaders have been encouraging and consoling one another with the words of Mordecai: that who knows whether we have been called into ministry “for such a time as this.” Mordecai’s ancient wisdom helped sustain us through a global pandemic and through challenging days in our own times. But today? […]

SW MN Synod Conference Assemblies: Conference, Date, Time & Location Great River – February 2 – Zoom Minnesota Valley – February 16 – 12:30pm at Scandian Grove, St. Peter Scenic Valley – February 16 – 1:30pm registration, 2pm meeting at St. Matthews, Wabasso Shetek – February 16 – 2pm at First, Worthington Crow River – […]

SW MN Synod Conference Assemblies: Conference, Date, Time & Location Great River – February 2 – Zoom Minnesota Valley – February 16 – 12:30pm at Scandian Grove, St. Peter Scenic Valley – February 16 – 1:30pm registration, 2pm meeting at St. Matthews, Wabasso Shetek – February 16 – 2pm at First, Worthington Crow River – […]

Hospitality is a part of our Christian lives and a significant part of the life of our congregation's worship experience.  We all want our congregation to be the most hospitable, but what makes us welcoming? How do we prepare to welcome guest worship leaders and preachers? How can we welcome people new to church? Come […]

You Spoke: We Listened Last year, the Southwestern Minnesota Synod listened. Through a survey and listening sessions we heard what excites, concerns, and inspires you. We invite you to hear the results of the listening process! As we gather on Zoom on Thursday, March 27 at 7:00, we will share what we heard and take […]

All 9th-12th students are invited to the Synod’s annual Senior High Youth Gathering. It will be held April 4-5, 2025 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls. Lodging will be at Redwood Lodge. This event is coordinated and planned by the SW MN Synod Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO). The theme this year is “Strengthened […]

The SW MN Synod is very excited to partner for the EcoFaith Summit to be part of this movement to care for God’s creation with concrete action and birthing hope for the world in a time of climate crisis. April 5, 2025, in Duluth MN and Online. The day includes impactful speakers Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda […]

DEADLINE for submitting memorials/resolutions is April 7, 2025. Click here to view and download the 2025 Guidelines for Memorials and Resolutions. Submit resolutions by April 7, 2025, in order to be considered by the 2025 Synod Assembly: By email: [email protected] By mail: Southwestern Minnesota Synod Attn: Tammy Schacher PO Box 499 Redwood Falls, MN 56283

Location: Vinje Lutheran Church, Willmar MN “I Love to Tell the Story” Click here for more information and to register.

Location: Vinje Lutheran Church, Willmar MN Click here for more information and to register.

For Professionals & Volunteers working with Children, Youth & Family Ministry This 90-minute Zoom workshop, led by Rev. Emily Carson, Assistant to the Bishop & Director for Evangelical Mission in the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, is designed for volunteers and professionals engaged in faith formation and ministry with children, youth, and families. Participants will explore their […]

Thursday, May 8th - 9:00am-3:00pm In person at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St Cloud Presenters: Rev. Emily Carson Cost: $75 per person Registration Deadline: May 1st Click here to register.  Sexual misconduct by rostered and other religious leaders is one of the most serious challenges faced by the church today. Violation of the sacred trust between […]

7:00 p.m.  via Zoom All registered Synod Assembly voting member received an email with the zoom link to attend. If you did not get an email. Please contact the synod office or email Kristin Bakeberg at [email protected] This zoom session will be recorded and posted on the Synod Assembly webpage.

7:00 p.m.  via Zoom All registered Synod Assembly voting member received an email with the zoom link to attend. If you did not get an email. Please contact the synod office or email Kristin Bakeberg at [email protected] This zoom session will be recorded and posted on the Synod Assembly webpage. Synod Budget Documents: Provided by […]

The Southwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly will be once again be hybrid and tentatively begin around 1 pm on Friday, June 6 and tentatively end around 5 pm on Saturday, June 7. Onsite location: Gustavus Adolphus College, St Peter Online: Zoom Synod Assembly Coordinator Tamara Schacher Admin. Assistant to Bishop Dee Pederson [email protected] 507.627.9041 (Direct Line) […]

This stewardship program is for congregations seeking to:  Stabilize and grow financial giving Teach Biblical stewardship principles Help members discover generosity Build a foundation for a generous culture Click here to read more and download the fall 2025 flyer.  The program will start August 21, and go through November. Registration: July - August Please read […]

For the Life of the World ELCA Churchwide Assembly July 28-Aug. 2, 2025 What’s a Churchwide Assembly? What’s coming up on the agenda of this Assembly? What’s real and what’s rumor? How can I learn more? Join in this zoom gathering to learn more about upcoming actions like the election of a new Presiding Bishop and Secretary, […]

Help Grow Leaders in Rural Ministry! 31st Annual LMM Golf Tournament Friday, July 25th, 2025 Redwood Falls Golf Club, Redwood Falls, MN Registration: 2:30 pm Shotgun Start: 3:00 pm Price: $80.00 per golfer. Includes GOLF CART, green fees, meal, prizes and a donation to LMM Registration Deadline: Monday, July 21st Click here to download and […]

2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly The 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will be held July 28–Aug. 2, 2025, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Ariz. The ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the primary decision-making body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a process of communal spiritual discernment. When the ELCA Churchwide Assembly convenes, its voting members […]

A discernment retreat hosted by the ELCA synods of Region 3 in the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota Wondering what’s next? Wondering if God is calling you to something different? Wondering if there’s “something more”? Explore these and other questions in the context of our faith, with other wonderers through storytelling, introspection, […]

The visit to the Lower Sioux Agency Historic Site for August 20th has been postponed to a later date. All are welcome to join the Southwestern Minnesota Synod staff on August 20th at 9:30 am for a morning of learning and conversation at the Lower Sioux Agency Historic Site. Rev. John Robertson, historic site manager […]

Portico Benefit Services - Employee benefits for congregations and faith-based organizations. Annual Enrollment season is on the horizon. With new health benefit options for 2026, we strongly encourage all ELCA-Primary health benefit members to explore their choices to identify the health benefit option best suited for themselves and their dependents. Sign in https://portico.ws/2026AEResources to learn […]

Location: Luther Crest Bible Camp, Alexandria MN Theme: Our Hands Together Registration Link: https://form.jotform.com/232528166747161 Click here to view and download the event flyer for more information.                                          

The visit to the Lower Sioux Agency Historic Site for August 20th has been postponed to a later date. However, Pr. Troy Pflibsen has planned another outing to the Jeffers Petroglyphs in rural Comfrey MN. All are welcome to join the Southwestern Minnesota Synod Staff for learning and relationship building with our Native American sisters […]

For Professionals & Volunteers working with Children, Youth & Family Ministry This 90-minute workshop, led by Rev. Emily Carson, Assistant to the Bishop & Director for Evangelical Mission in the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, is designed for volunteers and professionals engaged in faith formation and ministry with children, youth, and families. In addition, we will be […]

Location: Little Crow Resort & Conference, Spicer MN Oct. 5th, Sunday Evening - Oct. 7th, Tuesday Afternoon Click here to view and download the conference schedule.  Finding God’s Mission in a Fractured Society Respected Biblical scholar Professor Mark Allan Powell is the keynote speaker of this year's conference. Using our Lutheran Biblical perspective, he will […]

A discernment retreat hosted by the ELCA synods of Region 3 in the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota Wondering what’s next? Wondering if God is calling you to something different? Wondering if there’s “something more”? Explore these and other questions in the context of our faith, with other wonderers through storytelling, introspection, […]

The 2025 Equipping Congregations Day has been cancelled due to low registration numbers. We are grateful to Pr. Todd Buegler, the Synod Youth Band, and the Workshop Presenters who have planned and prepared for this day. We are working to host future Zoom gatherings or capture recordings on topics of the ECD sessions. Please stay […]

Beginning January 1, 2026, Minnesota will launch its statewide Paid Family and Medical Leave program, which provides eligible employees with paid time off for medical and family-related needs. As a reminder to congregation leaders and staff, and to assist in preparing for this transition, Tammy Schacher lead a Zoom gathering. This Zoom gathering was recorded […]

Location: Willmar Conference Center & Best Western Plus/Holiday Inn Express, Willmar MN Dates: This year, we are again only offering ONE date option for the JH Gathering: Friday, November 21 – Saturday, November 22, 2025 2025 theme: “Strengthened by Faith,” based on Isaiah 41:10. Gathering Info: Registration is open! Click here to register. Click the […]